iPod: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals)

This newest offering from the Missing Manual series focuses on the iPod touch (presumably because it has the most features and the most things to know), but sets aside full chapters to talk about each of the other models (shuffle, nano, and classic). These sections cover not only how to control each device, but also some of the unique ways that you might choose to use them. For instance using the classic as a portable hard drive is discussed, as is using the shuffle as a flash drive and using the iPod nano as a personal trainer. If you already own your iPod you may not use or even read the sections for the other iPod models, but if I was in the market for a new iPod I'd probably look here to help me decide which model fit my needs best.

Once you've settled on a section to start on the book reads very well. The layout is nicely set up to direct you to the information you need. Important terms are often bolded and defined so that even the most novice reader can understand what the author is talking about and follow the step-by-step directions. I thought that some of the directions were more well laid out than others. For example, many of the directions are accompanied by pictures some of which are helpful and highlight the buttons you'll need to press. This is nice and makes learning easy, but some of the other pictures are just screenshots that don't really add to the directions that they accompany. If you are a little tech intuitive (and I mean just a tiny tiny bit) or if you read the entire book front to back and pick things up as you go this doesn't prove to be much of an issue, but I might hesitate to ship this one to grandma in hopes of never having to answer a tech question again.

There is also a troubleshooting guide at the end of the book just in case your iPod isn't working properly.

Along with its coverage of the iPods themselves this book covers iTunes in great depth. It includes the basics like buying and organizing your music and videos, making playlists, and importing music from CDs. It also has some more advanced and niche information like what video file types will work with your device (it also provides software suggestions for converting between file types). Overall the iTunes coverage is very strong (and rather long making up close to 100 pages of the book) which is great because regardless of the type of iPod you have you'll need to use iTunes and with this book you'll be able to get the most out of it.

****

Overall/Final thoughts

Great coverage of the iPod touch

Good coverage of the unique features in each of the other iPods in apples line (nano, shuffle, classic)

Thorough coverage of everything iTunes

Most of the walk throughs are clear, but some could have more helpful pictures

****

4 stars and a strong recommendation

iPods are supposed to be simple enough anyone can figure out how to use them, yet some applications and navigating iTunes isn't always as easy as one would think it should be, especially for people who aren't gadget fanatics and technology geeks. And those people often feel stupid having to ask someone for help. This book is the answer to that dilemma, that is if your dilemma is specifically the use of an iPod.

More than that though, this book will give you different ideas of what to do with your iPod, and different ways in which it can be used other than the most basic.

I found this book to be helpful especially in regards to its instructions concerning iTunes. It has a heavy concentration on the iPod Touch, which makes sense, but it does not in any way neglect the rest of the line up.

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This is a well written, very informative book that most users will find very useful. I've been a Mac user since the very beginning, bought my first in 1979, and have exclusively owned Macs ever since, including in periods when doing so was painful. I'm not an expert, yet am experienced. I learned a number of new ipod related techniques from this book. What "with David Pogue" means is not clear. I gather he helped with editing. J.D. Biersdorfer writes well, yet it clearly seems she is the author of note with Mr. Pogue's involvement being limited, perhaps on the cover to boost marketing? I enjoy David's writing, hence my veiled complaint. All in all, a useful, very practical book full of insight and technique. Highly recommended.

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So far have found answers easily to every question I have come up with for the new iPod touch 5g. (upgraded from iPod Touch 3g)

Very good Table of contents, very navigable. (this refers to the Kindle version)

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This book is fantastic for owners of the iPod Touch, digging into use of the device in ways that save you the time of exploration on your own. It lets you get past the work of learning and right down to playing.

Overall, the book presents a user manual to all types of iPods and the iTunes program. As a practical matter, however, there is limited attention given to the other styles of iPod, perhaps because they simply don't have the same vast functionality of the Touch.

The book covers everything from initial startup to transfer of music and videos to Apps and wireless use, including recommendations on settings and suggested sources to find Apps, accessories and other products to enhance your use of the iPod.

Much of the appeal of an iPod is that Apple made it very intuitive and easy to figure out how to use. With the Touch, the device has gotten complex enough that having a manual is actually (maybe for the first time) useful. Between the music, the video capabilities, wi-fi and internet connectivity, the built-in camera, and voice activation, it is almost assured that you will learn something useful while reading this book.

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